Sierra rear half shaft orientation
 

Hi
Can anybody help I have taken the half shafts off the rear diff , I need to put them back on the same way and my marking has worn off. There are some cross markings on the end of half shaft on one side. Are these to the outer or the inner. Can someone check this and get back to me please?

Bolt in or push in ?

Hi
Not sure what you are asking, the half shaft are pushed into the CV and secured with the circlip. Then one ends is bolted to the diff and the other to the hub. It is important the they should be assembled exactly in the same way prior to assembly otherwise the splines can sheer off!!!!!!!
I hope I am making sense if not get back to me.
Thanks for your help!

I understand now,I have just replaced the shafts on the roadster I am building to race and they were supplied new by CPS in TVTE in Gateshead and as far as I am aware there is no inside or outside if you know what I mean although one should be shorter than the other to allow for the offset of the diff/pinion.
I also replaced the inner joint on a Golf this week and its the same idea and again had a good look to make sure which way it was fitted and both sides were the same.

Post some pics if poss Axle

Correct fitting
 

Hi Again
Thanks again for looking into this. You are right the shaft can fit on both ends, and there is no concern if they are new. However if they are 2nd hand they should go back exactly the way they were assembled, otherwise the spline can be stripped off.

As I said previously there are cross marking on the facing of one ends of half shaft, it would be good to know if they can be of any refference to this fitting?

If nothing else could you please le me have the contact tel no of the company where you bought your gears from maybe they will know.

Many thanks

Comercial propshaft services ltd, 0191 4821690

Ask for stan,they are very knowledgeable and good to deal with.

Good luck.

Post up what happens as I would like to know the end result,it makes no sense as to why it would strip the splines as they would work in any place on the car and the load is torsional and rotating.

Half shaft correct fitting
 

Hi There
I shall give them a call sometimes during the week and shall let you know.
However to answer your query about why would the spline strip off, the best I can explain is that, the fact that the spline have been strained in the going forward position with the maxiumum torque on them. They should be placed bak in the same way when they are dismantled for any reason if they go in a opposite direction metal fatigueness can occur and stripping of spline will results. Even the Sierra WSM states this but not very clear about orinatation.

In your particular case if the half shafts are new it will matter, but if you ever dismantled it ,please do mark them to put them back so they will rotate in the same direction as they were rotating previousl.

I hope I do make sense; meanwhile if any one else is stripping their half shafts please let me know to ease agony!!!!!!!!!!!!

Makes perfect sense now and obviously a safety problem.

oops i didn't mark mine i assumed it didn't matter :eek:

Watch this space for an update by Axle ( I hope);)

Hi all
I phoned Stan he did not seem very concerned unless there are some ware on it. However I managed to trace my markings and it look like as the facing of the half shaft with crosses need to be to the outer edge.

Anyway to save yourself the heahache mark them prior to assembly.

www.super7thheaven.co.uk

Nice one. ;)